Preparations for WoodEX for Africa, the largest timber trade exhibition in Africa, are well under way. With less than five months to go, a number of well-respected global brands have committed to showcasing their latest wood machining and tooling brands at the expo taking place from 11-13 July 2018 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

WoodEX for Africa is a niche biennial trade exhibition with a strong focus on the timber industry, offering visitors and exhibitors alike an exclusive business and networking stage to connect and grow the African timber, tooling and machinery industries. Since its inaugural show in 2012, the show has gone from strength to strength and has enjoyed the participation and backing of well-respected international names in wood processing, machinery and tooling.

Stephan Jooste, WoodEX for Africa Organiser, remarks, “We’re delighted to once again be playing host to a number of global brands in the sector who recognise the unique and lucrative opportunities inherent in doing business in Africa. Of these exhibitors are: local wood machinery distributor, Newsaw, who will be showcasing a host of imported brands at the show; Polish leader in tooling, FENES S.A., first-time exhibitors, who will be introducing their own range of wood tooling and machinery; FOMA Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., a joint venture between the FX Group, China FOMA and Shanghai FUMA; and Wood-Mizer Africa, respected manufacturer of sawmilling equipment and technology.”

Newsaw

According to Louis du Plessis, Director at Newsaw, “We are excited to be attending WoodEX for Africa again this year and look forward to making an impact at the show with products like Holtec log yards and pallet C-cuts, Vantec sawmilling equipment, biomass equipment, peelers and lamination equipment, reclamation equipment and forklifts, Nardi kilns, Newcoming planers, and Dryzone products. We’ll also be showcasing equipment and machinery from Dieffenbacher and have some special features for our foresters this year; from Vantec on infield chipping and chain-sharpening equipment from Franzen!”

“Visitors and fellow exhibitors can look forward to becoming better acquainted with our in-line grader that is locally designed and built by yours truly as well as a Vantec chipper and planer. We represent many more brands and look forward sharing insights and information about these with visitors to our stand,” he adds.

Cutting Tools Factory FENES S.A.

A representative of FENES S.A., who manufacture and supply machinery and cutting tools for wood, comments, “WoodEX for Africa 2018 will be our first, and all the products we will have on show are produced under the FENES brand and are all made in our factory in Poland. Machinery will include a horizontal band saw sawmill, sharpening and setting machines for band saw blades, band saw blades, circular saw blades, gang saw blades and end mills. We look forward to networking at the show, meeting our existing clients and fostering new relationships with the African trade.”

FOMA Southern Africa

Having commenced trade in August 2017, FOMA will be attending its first ever WoodEX for Africa this year. According to Roddy Payne, General Manager, “The expected traffic of visitors will enable us to showcase our machinery to a wide Southern African audience; showing them the quality and reliability of our machines as well as the competitive nature of our full-value offer.”

“Africa offers great opportunities for growth and development, now and into the future. A growing population and income means that there will be an increasing demand for wood and panel processing equipment for many years ahead,” remarks Payne, who adds, “Thanks to WoodEX for Africa, we will be able to showcase our machines in a working context, by running demonstrations and allowing visitors to interact with the equipment and sales staff in a very encouraging environment.”

Visitors can expect to see an exciting and comprehensive range of edge-banding machines, table saws, beam saws and CNC technology from FOMA Southern Africa. “We will be offering amazing show specials as well as a product interface that is personalized and engaging, and also look forward to showing off some of the newest technology from the China Interzum show of March 2018 – come and be fascinated!”

Wood-Mizer Africa

Wood-Mizer Africa is the only sawmilling equipment manufacturer that has exhibited at every WoodEX for Africa show since the inaugural event in 2012.

Its consistency over time and market-leader role in narrow bandsaw and recently also wide bandsaw industrial sawmilling technology, has contributed towards Wood-Mizer Africa’s goal of becoming South Africa and Africa’s timber processing equipment supplier of choice.

This is according to Etienne Nagel, Wood-Mizer Africa’s PR and Marketing Specialist who adds that, “WoodEX for Africa continues to play an important part in us reaching our customers in Africa. Sawmillers in 30 countries across Africa now have access to our products and services. Profitable sawmilling businesses have resulted from this and lives are changed.”

“WoodEX for Africa aims to offer a high-value niche platform for both exhibitors and visitors looking to learn more about timber products, tooling and machinery available on the market, to access special trade deals and foster lasting ties in the sector,” comments Jooste, concluding, “We are proud to be hosting well-renowned international names at the show as well as newcomers to the market and look forward to producing yet another world class event where exhibitors can build on their past successes and make their mark on Africa’s timber industry.”

WoodEX for Africa will be taking place from 11-13 July 2018 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. Bookings for the event are now open and exhibitors are encouraged to secure their space early to unlock maximum exposure leading up to the event. For more information about exhibition space, contact Annelize on +27 (0)21 850 8846, +27 (0)81 775 5859 or email info@woodexforafrica.com